Ren Nagase, a member of the popular group King & Prince, has been chosen as the face of the new commercial for Ajinomoto Frozen Foods’ "AJINOMOTO Gyoza," which began airing nationwide on April 2, 2025. The commercial showcases a humorous family dynamic centered around the competition for the last gyoza, featuring Nagase as the eldest son, Maki Sakai as the mother, Tenten Banba as the second son, and Yuki Izumi as the eldest daughter.
The new ad captures the culinary excitement of family mealtime, where the tension rises as the family vies for the last gyoza. In a candid interview after filming, Nagase reminisced about his own family experiences, recalling, "We’re a family of four, and when we eat together or go out for yakiniku, there’s often a debate over the last piece of meat. I usually give priority to my younger brother, which reminded me of those moments. I’d love to go out to eat with my family again soon."
When asked who he would like to share gyoza with, Nagase enthusiastically responded, "Kaito Takahashi from my group! We’ve been talking about having a meal together, and I want him to eat a lot. Since we’ve been dining out a lot, I’d like to invite him over and whip up some gyoza for him on the frying pan." He also expressed interest in hosting a gyoza party with Daigo Nishihata from Naniwa Danshi and Yoshinori Masakado from Aぇ！group, saying, "It would be a blast with those three!"
The commercial not only highlights the comedic aspects of family interactions but also emphasizes the appeal of gyoza as a beloved dish. The 30-second version features Nagase savoring the moment after securing the last gyoza, exclaiming, "Yum!" with a look of triumph. The playful competition among family members is portrayed through humorous scenes, including everyone’s intense gazes locked on the last gyoza on the plate.
Ajinomoto Frozen Foods has also released exclusive web content, including behind-the-scenes footage where Nagase, affectionately known as "Ren-nii-chan," is seen cooking gyoza in a home video style. This segment showcases him flipping the gyoza with ease, demonstrating how anyone can achieve perfect results with their product.
Nagase’s cooking experience during the shoot was quite a revelation for him. "I usually don’t cook, so I was a bit unsure, but just by placing a plate on the frying pan and flipping it, I ended up with beautifully cooked gyoza. It made me feel like I had improved my cooking skills!" he shared. He noted that the gyoza was deliciously juicy, making it hard to stop eating alongside rice.
In the interview, he also discussed his love for rice, admitting that gyoza might have overtaken his previous favorite, tongue, as his go-to side dish. "I could easily eat three or four bowls of rice with gyoza!" he exclaimed, adding that the dish is perfect for recharging after a tiring concert. "It’s juicy and delicious, and it lifts my spirits to face the next day!"
As the new month of April marks a season of new beginnings, Nagase expressed a desire to explore cooking more, inspired by the ease of preparing gyoza. "I recently received some new dishes, so I might try making gyoza and a few other dishes myself," he mentioned. He also shared his enthusiasm for potato salad, revealing it as another dish he wishes to try making.
Reflecting on the challenges of starting anew, especially in April, he pointed out that good food can be a source of comfort and energy. "I think the happiest moments come when we eat delicious food. It’s a great way to recharge, especially for those feeling a bit overwhelmed by new environments. I hope everyone gets to enjoy some gyoza!"
In closing, Nagase had a message for viewers: "Hello everyone! I’m Ren Nagase. I’m excited to be part of the new AJINOMOTO Gyoza commercial! These gyoza are crispy, easy to cook, juicy, and incredibly delicious! I love them so much that I can’t help but go for the last one! I hope you all enjoy them with your family, friends, and loved ones. I think I’ve decided what to have for dinner, so I hope you’ll grab some for yourselves. Until next time!"
